Before we dig in here, I just have to wonder. What must have it been like to be Isaiah? Really, any of the prophets, for that matter. NOT an upbeat occupation, for sure. God's prophets always swam against the tide. They were hated for telling the truth, because lies were so much more palatable and convenient to the people and because people are by nature rebellious, weak, and easily deceived. Isaiah, for example, as one of his prophetic assignments, was instructed by th

The word Messiah  is familiar — but often with assumed meaning rather than real understanding. Think about it. We’re used to hearing or even saying things like, “Jesus is the Messiah,”  or “The Jews of Jesus’ time didn’t understand that Jesus was the Messiah.”  But what does that actually mean? And what about Handel’s Messiah ? We know it’s all about Jesus, but… why ? What is being claimed when that word is used? Today is going to feel more like a class  than a devotional

Today we wrap up our "Daily Digs" into this majestic portion of scripture. Under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah the prophet, some 700 years before Jesus Christ would appear on earth in the form of a human, spoke these mysterious words. At the time they were spoken, their full meaning was hidden behind a veil; today, they are very familiar to many of us: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And

I don’t think I’m very likely alone in my “wondrous” perplexity of how to think of God in relationship to myself.   I tend to think of Him more as my Father when speaking with Him and thinking of Him than I do as my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Now, don’t get me wrong!  Theologically I completely “get” that my heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are One and the same; NO difference in the very essence of His being!  But… when I am talking with Him and thinking of Him,  I have

This week I am excited to take us through one of the most famous Biblical passages we associate with the celebration of the Birth of Christ:   “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish

This week I am excited to take us through one of the most famous Biblical passages we associate with the celebration of the Birth of Christ:   “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish

This week I am excited to take us through one of the most famous Biblical passages we associate with the celebration of the Birth of Christ:   “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish

This week I am excited to take us through one of the most famous Biblical passages we associate with the celebration of the Birth of Christ:   “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establis

Do you never wonder about that thought that crossed your mind and how it led you to make a decision that was smart, wise, or beneficial in some way?  And I am not talking about just the big decisions – like a life partner, a job offer, purchasing a home or a car or planning a family, which path to take in a big medical decision – I’m talking about purchasing stock for my shop from this particular vendor at this particular time only to find out they are running a one-day sale

Meeting Mary at the Threshold of God’s Plan Nazareth was an unremarkable village—small, dusty, easily overlooked. Yet in one modest home lived a teenage girl named Mary , engaged to Joseph, preparing for the simple rhythms of life: drawing water, grinding grain, weaving cloth, dreaming of a future in her new household. Nothing suggested destiny. Nothing predicted world-shaking significance. Then, without warning, heaven broke into her ordinary world. The angel Gabriel app

This Advent season, we are setting our hearts on a quiet but rich journey: exploring the lives of the men and women God chose to weave into the nativity story. These were real people—ordinary, imperfect, faithful—whose lives intersected with the greatest miracle the world has ever known: the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. By reflecting on their stories, we see anew how God works in human hearts, how He keeps His promises, and how He shapes His people to be part of His redeeming

This Advent season, we are setting our hearts on a quiet but rich journey: exploring the lives of the men and women God chose to weave into the nativity story. These were real people—ordinary, imperfect, faithful—whose lives intersected with the greatest miracle the world has ever known: the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. By reflecting on their stories, we see anew how God works in human hearts, how He keeps His promises, and how He shapes His people to be part of His redeeming

This Advent season, we are setting our hearts on a quiet but rich journey: exploring the lives of the men and women God chose to weave into the nativity story. These were real people—ordinary, imperfect, faithful—whose lives intersected with the greatest miracle the world has ever known: the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. By reflecting on their stories, we see anew how God works in human hearts, how He keeps His promises, and how He shapes His people to be part of His redeeming

This Advent season, we are setting our hearts on a quiet but rich journey: exploring the lives of the men and women God chose to weave into the nativity story. These were real people—ordinary, imperfect, faithful—whose lives intersected with the greatest miracle the world has ever known: the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. By reflecting on their stories, we see anew how God works in human hearts, how He keeps His promises, and how He shapes His people to be part of His redeeming

This Advent season, we are setting our hearts on a quiet but rich journey: exploring the lives of the men and women God chose to weave into the nativity story. These were real people—ordinary, imperfect, faithful—whose lives intersected with the greatest miracle the world has ever known: the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. By reflecting on their stories, we see anew how God works in human hearts, how He keeps His promises, and how He shapes His people to be part of His redeeming

The Forgotten Resting Place of God’s Love   “In those days and at that time,’ declares the LORD, the sons of Israel will come, both they and the sons of Judah, as well; they will go along weeping as they go, and it will be the LORD their God they will seek.   They will ask for the way to Zion, turning their faces in its direction; they will come that they may join themselves to the LORD in everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.    ‘My people have become lost sheep;

Beck's Daily Dig - Saturday, November 29, 2025 The Power of Intercession Intercession is one of the most astonishing privileges God gives His people. Scripture never portrays prayer as whispering into a void or trying to get heaven’s attention. Instead, intercession is pictured as partnership — the living God inviting His sons and daughters to participate in His will being done on earth.   Paul writes, “We are God’s fellow workers”  (1 Cor. 3:9). Think about that.Your prayer

Beck's Daily Dig - Friday, November 28, 2025 THE POWER OF PRAISE AS WARFARE   “Let the high praises of God be in their throats and a two-edged sword in their hands.” — Psalm 149:6   Praise is not mood-based. Praise is not sentimental. Praise is not what we do after everything gets better.   Praise is warfare. In Scripture, praise pushes back darkness,   breaks chains,   routes enemies,  and strengthens the soul.   When Jehoshaphat was surrounded (2 Chronicles 20), the ch

Beck's Daily Dig for Thursday, November 27, 2025 - Thanksgiving Day! Thankfulness as an Act of Trust “Give thanks in all circumstances;  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “It is good to give thanks to the LORD.” — Psalm 92:1   Scripture does not require us to pretend that everything is good. Instead, it calls us to acknowledge that God is good in everything  — even when the circumstances are not.   Thankfulness in suffering is not

Beck's Daily Dig for Wednesday, November 26, 2025 The God Who Lowers Himself   "Who is like the LORD our God… who stoops down to look on heaven and on the earth?” — Psalm 113:5–6 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3   This is one of the most startling descriptions of God in Scripture: the One exalted above the nations must bend down  even to look at the heavens. Yet He bends further still — toward the lowly, the afflicted, the overlooked. Di